2021 Dublin Nominees

 The NH Dublin Committee has selected its nominees for the 2021 Dublin Literary Award. These are fictional works of high literary merit published in English during 2019. After reading and discussing many excellent books, the committee selected these titles for nomination:

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See.  “Lisa See addresses the complicated history of 20th century Korea through a tale of the women of Jeju, whose livelihood is destroyed by war and its degradation of the sea as well as the countryside. Her voice is clear and unsentimental, her breadth of knowledge deep, and her characters both universal and unique.”

The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead.  “The Nickel Boys is a compelling backdrop to the destructive power and persistence of racism in the United States. It is often gut-wrenching to read and heartbreaking to contemplate. But it is also inspiring--a testament to human endurance, friendship and resilience." 

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. “This epistolary novel beautifully captures the pain and paradox of the immigrant experience through the poetic language of a young Vietnamese boy growing up in Hartford, Ct.”